Neo-Nazi ‘fear’ keeps blogger underground

Hamish Heard
An internet blogger who mounted a campaign against a Torquay councillor says he wants to keep his identity secret to protect himself from neo-Nazis.
The Surf Coast resident admitted to the Independent he was Broken Left Leg, the author of a left-wing website that has repeatedly attacked Cr Ron Humphrey.
The Independent tracked down the man after comparing the site’s content to various documents and other internet blogs.
Surf Coast Shire chief executive officer Peter Bollen investigated staff and councillors in September over allegations on the website.
Cr Humphrey had claimed the blogger was working with sitting councillors, including Torquay’s Rose Hodge, to mount a “politically-motivated attack” against him.
The site, which quotes a source named Deep Throat, makes numerous allegations against Cr Humphrey, including faking illnesses to avoid council meetings.
But the blogger denied Cr Hodge had supplied him with ammunition against Cr Humphrey.
“I know her but she’s not the source of any information on the blog,” the blogger said.
“I don’t reveal my sources but I do cross-check all my information, so it’s not like I’m reporting wild rumours.”
The blogger denied he was aligned with any political party or sitting councillors, although he once stood as an election candidate.
“I haven’t been a member of that political party for over a year,” he said.
Responding to reports labelling him “cowardly” and “gutless” for remaining anonymous on the site, the blogger said revealing his identity would compromise his safety.
He said he was part of a network of activists weeding out neo-Nazi activity throughout Australia.
The blogger said he had already been profiled on a neo-Nazi website.
“I’m pretty sure I was tipped off to the people running this hate site by someone from the Geelong region,” the blogger said.
“The head guy of the anti-fascist movement has had numerous threats, car vandalism and attacks on his house and I just didn’t want to put myself in that position.”
Neo-Nazis were operating within the Geelong region, he said.
“I’ve got to protect myself and my family.”